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Twanoh State Park
Phone:
Fax:
City: Union
Address:
12190 E Hwy 106,
Union, WALocated on the south shore of Hood Canal, eight miles west of Belfair, Wash.
The park offers access to one of the warmest saltwater beaches in the state. Wading, swimming and oyster and crab harvesting are immensely popular.
For more up to date information, visit the Twanoh page on the state parks web site.
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Park Overview
Twanoh State Park is a 182-acre marine, camping park with 3,167 feet of saltwater shoreline on Hood Canal. The name of the park derives from the Native American Twana tribes, better known as the Skokomish, who made their home in the area. The park is situated on one of the warmest saltwater beaches in the state. This is because Hood Canal is one of the warmest saltwater bodies in Puget Sound.
Twanoh State Park is part of a planning project of Puget Sound-Hood Canal state parks.
Twanoh State Park is part of a planning project of Puget Sound-Hood Canal state parks.
Marine Park: Yes
Popular Destination
Park Hours
The park is open year round for camping, with limited water supply in the winter.
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
For information on future Hood Canal Bridge closures, visit the Department of Transportation Web site.
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
For information on future Hood Canal Bridge closures, visit the Department of Transportation Web site.
Significant History
"Twanoh" is a Native American word for "gathering place." The Skokomish Indians, a Twana tribe, made their home along Hood Canal because of its abundant wildlife. Because of this abundance, the Twana were among the few hunting/gathering societies of the world that produced wealth beyond their needs. The basis of their economy was salmon.
The park area was logged extensively during the 1890s. Scars still show in some cedar stumps from "spring boards," accessories to an early logging technique.
Most of the park buildings were built during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Most of the CCC structures still stand as a monument to the hard work and craftsmanship provided to this country by the men of the CCC. The buildings are made of brick, stone, and round logs. Most are still used extensively today.
The area was a private resort for many years before becoming a state park.
The park area was logged extensively during the 1890s. Scars still show in some cedar stumps from "spring boards," accessories to an early logging technique.
Most of the park buildings were built during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Most of the CCC structures still stand as a monument to the hard work and craftsmanship provided to this country by the men of the CCC. The buildings are made of brick, stone, and round logs. Most are still used extensively today.
The area was a private resort for many years before becoming a state park.
Major Landmarks
The soil in the park is "glacial till," an unlayered sediment which was deposited by glaciers over most of western Washington. Twanoh Park is on Hood Canal, which is actually a "canal" in name only. Hood Canal is (in reality) a "fjord," a long narrow body of water open to the ocean and bordered at one end by steep cliffs or hills.
Interpretive Oportunities
A plaque stands along the road in nearby Union. It commemorates Captain George Vancouver, the first European to sail into Hood Canal in search of the Northwest Passage.
Directions provided by the state parks department are given below the map,
or you can try to have google create the directions from the coordinates we have on file.
Take Hwy. 3 southwest to Belfair, and go west on Hwy. 106 eight miles to the park.
From Hwy. 101:
Drive east on Hwy. 106 for 12 miles to the park.
From downtown Seattle:
Take a beautiful, one-hour ferry ride to Bremerton, then a half hour drive on Hwy. 3 southwest to Belfair. From Belfair, go west eight miles on Hwy. 106 to park entrance.
Directions
From Bremerton:Take Hwy. 3 southwest to Belfair, and go west on Hwy. 106 eight miles to the park.
From Hwy. 101:
Drive east on Hwy. 106 for 12 miles to the park.
From downtown Seattle:
Take a beautiful, one-hour ferry ride to Bremerton, then a half hour drive on Hwy. 3 southwest to Belfair. From Belfair, go west eight miles on Hwy. 106 to park entrance.
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life | Plantlife |
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Chipmunks
Deer/Elk
Otters
Raccoons
Skunks
Squirrels
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Crows/Ravens
Ducks
Eagles
Gulls
Hawks
Herons
Humming Birds
Jays
Woodpeckers
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Clams
Crabs
Mussels
Oysters
Sea Birds
Seals
Shellfish
Shrimp
Starfish
Whales
Bullhead
Perch
Salmon
Shark
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Cedar
Douglas Fir
Hemlocks
Alders
Apple Trees
Maple Trees
Rhododendron
Berries
Ferns
Moss or Lichens
Seaweed
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| General | Trails | Freshwater Activities | Saltwater Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
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Swimming
Beachcombing
Bird Watching
Wildlife Viewing
1 Badmitton Area
1 Volleyball Field
1 Horseshoe Pit
20 Fire Circles
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2.5 mi. of Hiking Trails
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Boating
Fishing
Personal Watercraft
Swimming
Water Skiing
Crabbing
Oyster Taking
1 Boat Ramp
200 ft. of moorage
100 ft. of Dock
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Campers and day-users must bring their own hand equipment, racquets, etc.
There is a winter smelt run along the park beaches. Oyster beds are seeded annually, providing for ample harvests. In late fall, the chum salmon run in the small creek, but the area is closed to fishing. There is no clamming. Oysters must be shelled on the beach. A shellfish license is required to shuck oysters or to crab. This license is sold anywhere fishing licenses are sold. Please check Department of Fish & Wildlife fishing publications for daily limits and information. Regulations are available wherever fishing licenses are sold. Anyone over 14 years of age needs a shellfish license to harvest oysters. The daily limit is 18 oysters. Gathering firewood is prohibited, but firewood is sold at the park. Picnic NotesThe park offers two kitchen shelters with electricity, plus 125 unsheltered picnic tables. One kitchen shelter can accommodate up to 150 people. To reserve, (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. The other kitchen shelter accommodates up to 40 people and is available first-come, first-served.
Group CampingThe park offers a group camp that accommodates up to 50 people. Facilities include a picnic shelter, water tap and vault toilet. The dirt road up to the group camp is steep and windy, so vehicle access is restricted to non-RV-type vehicles. Rental fees vary with size of the group. For reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Boating/Water NotesThe park provides one watercraft launch ramp and one hundred feet of dock.
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the park for $5. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available. The park also provides 200 feet of moorage. Moorage fees are charged year-round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.: -Daily moorage fee is 50 cents per foot, with a minimum of $10. -Moorage buoys, $10 a night. -Annual moorage permit fee is $3.50 per foot, with a minimum of $50. Moorage permits are available at parks offering moorage. For information, call (360) 902-8844. Telephone Device for the Deaf, (360) 664-3133. |
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| Park Services | Area Services |
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Camping
Pay Phone
Wood
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Auto Repair
Airport
Boating
Camping Area
Diesel
Fishing and Hunting Supplies
Gasolene
Gifts
Golfing
Groceries
Hardware
Hospital
Marine Supply
Overnight Accomodations
Pay Phones
US Mail
Propane
Recreational Equipment
White Gas
Wood
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Fast food and camping accessories are available at local stores along SR 106 and in the nearby towns of Belfair and Shelton. | |
